Bihar

Bihar: Liquor worth Rs 50 lakh seized; four Rajasthan smugglers arrested

Digital Desk | Patna, Nov 11 (IANS) Bihar Police have seized foreign-made liquor worth approximately Rs 50 lakh and arrested four alleged smugglers from Rajasthan in Patna district ahead of the Chhath festival on Wednesday. A total of 435 cartons containing 3,830.760 litres of liquor were recovered during a raid near a Bharat Petroleum pump in Muktakapur village, under Fatuha police station limits. Acting on a tip-off that a large consignment of foreign liquor had been stored at the location, police formed a special team under the leadership of Inspector Ajit Kumar. The team conducted a raid at around 2 a.m. on Wednesday and found 435 cartons of liquor stocked at the premises. The estimated market value of the seized consignment is around Rs 50 lakh. During the investigation, police found that the liquor bottles carried labels indicating that they were meant for sale in Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana. The four arrested accused have been identified as Devaram, Bishnaram, Dayaram and Dinesh Kumar. All are residents of the Sindhari police station area in Rajasthan's Barmer district. Police have taken the four men into custody for questioning to ascertain the source of the consignment and identify those who were supposed to receive and distribute the liquor in Bihar. Following the raid, the premises used for storing the liquor were sealed. Investigators are now attempting to establish the entire smuggling network and identify other people involved in the illegal trade, including suspected links in Bihar and other states. Police said further action would be taken based on the information obtained during the interrogation of the arrested accused. The accused have been booked under the relevant sections of the liquor prohibition act. They will be produced in the district court on Thursday for further legal proceedings. Liquor has been banned in Bihar since April 2016 after the then Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took the decision.

Bihar Congress Appoints 21 State Researchers, Forms Committee for YouTube Coordination

The Bihar Congress has appointed 21 state researchers and formed a committee to enhance coordination with YouTube channels and digital media. Bihar Congress Appoints 21 State Researchers, Forms Committee for YouTube Coordination

Chhath rush: Indian Railways rolls out massive preparations as thousands head home

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 11 (IANS) With Chhath Puja approaching, railway stations across the country are witnessing a massive surge in passenger footfall as thousands of people head to their hometowns in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to celebrate the festival with their families. From Delhi and Mumbai to Varanasi, Howrah, Lucknow and other major railway hubs, crowds of passengers can be seen gathering at platforms and station premises, creating an unprecedented rush during the festive travel period. In view of the heavy passenger movement, Indian Railways has stepped up its preparations, introducing a series of measures aimed at ensuring safe, smooth and organised travel. Several arrangements have been made at several stations to manage the festive rush. These include special trains, additional reserved and unreserved services, designated passenger holding areas, enhanced security arrangements, and round-the-clock monitoring. The huge rush is particularly visible at Delhi's Anand Vihar Railway Station and New Delhi Railway Station. Large numbers of passengers are gathering to board trains at these stations to their hometowns ahead of Chhath Puja. Passengers carrying luggage and travelling with their families can be seen waiting for trains. Many of these passengers are opting for general-class tickets. Some passengers acknowledged that the arrangements were satisfactory. However, some pointed to the massive crowds at the station. Passengers expressed satisfaction with the improved infrastructure and crowd-management arrangements at New Delhi Railway Station. One passenger told IANS that the creation of separate areas helped reduce congestion compared with previous years. This is how the station experience is considerably better, he added. The tremendous pressure on railway infrastructure during the festive season has been analysed by the railways. The Northern Railway has announced the operation of 31 special trains from major stations in the Delhi area to facilitate passenger movement on a high-demand travel day. Officials said that additional reserved and unreserved services are also being operated on important routes to accommodate the increased demand. Central Railway has introduced precautionary measures at major stations in Mumbai to prevent overcrowding. Unhindered passenger movement is being ensured. According to Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Swapnil Nila, the sale of platform tickets has been suspended at major stations across its divisions, broadly between November 5 and 15, depending on the location. Moreover, parcel traffic has been suspended for around eight to ten days at key stations, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT). The move is intended to free up space and prevent congestion so that passengers boarding and alighting from trains do not face inconvenience. Special arrangements have been made at Varanasi Junction to deal with the anticipated increase in passenger footfall. The Railways have established a dedicated holding area where passengers can wait in an organised manner before boarding their respective trains. Help desks have also been set up at both entry gates to assist passengers and provide necessary information. Similar arrangements are being implemented across Eastern Railway stations. At Howrah, Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel are continuously monitoring passenger movement through a dedicated control room to ensure effective crowd management. TTEs and RPF staff are working in close coordination to regulate queues, guide passengers towards their designated coaches and facilitate systematic boarding. A specially designated passenger holding area with carpeted flooring has also been created at Howrah Station to provide Chhath-bound passengers with a more comfortable waiting experience. A medical booth has been made available to provide immediate medical assistance to passengers in need. The festive atmosphere is also being reflected at railway stations. At Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction in Chandauli, traditional Chhath songs are being played through loudspeakers, bringing a touch of the festival to the railway premises. Passengers have welcomed the initiative, with many appreciating the festive ambience as they begin their journey home. Holding areas have also been created at stations such as Ballia to ensure that passengers can wait safely without overcrowding platforms. Travellers have expressed gratitude for these facilities, acknowledging the efforts being made by railway authorities to improve passenger convenience. Across the network, the Railways is also relying on AI-enabled CCTV surveillance, additional security personnel and coordinated monitoring to keep a close watch on passenger movement. These measures are intended to identify potential congestion points, regulate crowds and ensure that boarding and alighting take place in a controlled manner. The Railways has also expanded festive connectivity through additional reserved and unreserved special services. Unreserved special trains are being operated between Muzaffarpur and Howrah, as well as Jaynagar and Sealdah, to cater to the large number of passengers travelling towards Bihar, West Bengal and adjoining regions. Special services from Mumbai towards Gorakhpur are also providing relief to passengers travelling home. Travellers aboard the CSMT-Gorakhpur special train have appreciated the seating facilities and arrangements, expressing satisfaction with the efforts of Central Railway. The festive travel arrangements also include additional services towards Patna, including Vande Bharat and other special trains, alongside enhanced crowd-management measures. Passengers have acknowledged the availability of additional trains and improved station facilities, particularly during the busy Chhath travel period. As millions of devotees prepare to return home to observe Chhath Puja, one of the most significant festivals in Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring regions, the challenge before the Railways is not merely to run additional trains but also to manage the enormous crowds gathering at stations. With passengers travelling with families, children and heavy luggage, even routine boarding and alighting operations can become challenging during peak hours, say officials. The creation of holding areas, suspension of platform ticket sales at selected stations, temporary restrictions on parcel traffic, enhanced security deployment, and dedicated passenger assistance facilities are therefore crucial to maintaining order, they add. The Railways has urged passengers to rely on official railway announcements and information rather than rumours or misleading social media reports regarding train services and festive arrangements.

Two private security men from Bihar held with three shotguns, forged licences

Gang rape survivor thrown off roof in Bihars Begusarai

The police say the accused arrested in this case was not involved in the previous incident.

Interstate AI Extortion Gang Busted In Jhalawar

Jhalawar Police have dismantled an interstate syndicate that used AI tools and digital arrest traps to extort money, leading to the suicide of a 56-year-old woman. Six individuals, including four women from Bihar, have been apprehended, and three minors detained, following an extensive investigation that traced the gang 1,500 km away.

Ramandeep To Lead Punjab In Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Rajput To Join After U19 Asia Cup

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Seam-bowling all-rounder Ramandeep Singh will captain Punjab in the 2026-27 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, while young Arjun Rajput, who recently hit a scintillating ton against Pakistan, is set to join the squad once his Under-19 Asia Cup duties are over, said the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) on Wednesday. Rajputs timing of his arrival will depend on how India progresses in the Under-19 Asia Cup, especially with the side set to take on Afghanistan in the second semifinal in Muscat on Thursday. The Punjab squad will have another change when Sehaj Dhawan comes in as the replacement for wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh, who has been named in the India A squad for the Mens Rising Stars Asia Cup, to be held in Doha from November 19-29. With Ramandeep leading the charge, in-form Salil Arora is the designated wicketkeeper. The experienced Anmolpreet Singh and Sanvir Singh, along with Uday Saharan and Vihaan Malhotra, strengthen the batting line-up, while left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar and leg-spinner Raghu Sharma will lead the spin bowling department. Sukhdeep Bajwa, Krish Bhagat, Jashan Jindal, Emanjot Singh Chahal, Sahil Bhaskar, Kartik Chadda, who impressed in this years Sher-e-Punjab tournament, and Vishwa Nath Pratap complete the group. The squad also includes veteran pacer Umesh Yadav, who joined the state for this season as a guest player. Punjab are in Elite Group B alongside Haryana, Delhi, Railways, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir, Saurashtra and Bihar. Their campaign opens against neighbours Haryana at 9 am on November 14, followed by a clash with Delhi at 4:30 pm on November 16. Railways are up next for a meeting on November 18 at 11 am, before a 9 am clash with Tamil Nadu takes place on November 20. Punjab will then face Jammu and Kashmir at 1:30 pm on November 22 and Saurashtra at 11 am on November 24, before wrapping up their commitments against Bihar at 1:30 pm on November 26. Punjab previously won the title in 2023/24, and finished as runners-up four times. Punjab squad: Vishwa Nath Pratap, Prabhsimran Singh (Sehaj Dhawan to replace him later), Vihaan Malhotra, Anmolpreet Singh, Uday Saharan, Salil Arora (wk), Ramandeep Singh (captain), Sanvir Singh, Raghu Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Sahil Bhaskar, Kartik Chadda, Emanjot Singh Chahal, Sukhdeep Bajwa, Jashan Jindal, Krish Bhagat and Umesh Yadav Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Bihar Government Accused of Creating a Police State Amid Encounter Killings

CPI(ML) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya criticizes Bihars government for police encounters and bulldozer actions, calling it a threat to democracy. Bihar Government Accused of Creating a Police State Amid Encounter Killings

Nitish Kumar Emphasizes Social Harmony as Bihars Strength at Religious Ceremony

Nitish Kumar highlights the importance of social unity and cultural heritage during a religious event in Patna, urging collective responsibility for harmony. Nitish Kumar Emphasizes Social Harmony as Bihars Strength at Religious Ceremony

Bihar woman trampled to death by elephant in Hazaribag; 10-year-old son hospitalised

Bihar Education Minister Criticizes Prashant Kishor as Congresss B Team

Bihars Education Minister labels Prashant Kishor a B Team for Congress, claiming his political strategies are failing in the state. Bihar Education Minister Criticizes Prashant Kishor as Congresss B Team

Chhath Puja School Holidays 2026: Delhi, UP, check state-wise schools closure list on Chhath, Jagadhatri Puja

Schools in Delhi, Bihar, various states will be closed on the occasion of Chhath Puja festival from November 13 to 16, 2026. The Delhi government has declared November 16 a public holiday across the national capital, so schools and colleges will be closed on Monday.

Bihar-bound train hits trolley left on railway tracks in Jharkhands Godda; passengers safe

Unadkat To Lead Saurashtra In Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Jackson Joins Coaching Staff

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Veteran left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat will continue to lead Saurashtra in the 2026/27 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, with the states senior mens selection committee on Wednesday naming a 16-member squad for the domestic mens T20 competition. Harvik Desai and Harvansh Singh Pangalia, who was a member of the India U-19 team winning this years World Cup, are the two designated wicketkeepers in the side. Unadkat will spearhead a bowling line-up comprising left-arm pacer Chetan Sakariya, all-rounder Prerak Mankad, Parth Bhut and Krains Fuletra. Sheldon Jackson, who was a long-time stalwart of Saurashtras batting line-up across all formats, has joined the side as a coach for the tournament. He will be a member of the support staff alongside head coach Niraj Odedra and team manager Narendrasinh Jadeja. Since his retirement from the game, Jackson has worked mainly as a broadcaster in the BCCI organised tournaments and is all set to have his first coaching stint with the Saurashtra side. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Saurashtra have been placed in Elite Group B alongside Bihar, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Railways and Tamil Nadu and will play all their league fixtures in Indore. Despite winning the Ranji Trophy previously, Saurashtra is yet to win the title. Unadkat and his men will begin their campaign against Bihar at the Holkar Stadium at 11 am on November 14. Two days later, they will head to the Daly College Cricket Ground for a 1:30 pm game against Haryana on November 16. Saurashtra will return to the Holkar Stadium to face Jammu and Kashmir on November 18, in a match that begins at 4:30 pm. After a break of three days, Saurashtra take on Railways in an early 9 am start at the Daly College Cricket Ground on November 22. Their last two group games are both at the Holkar Stadium - against Punjab at 11 am on November 24 and against Tamil Nadu at 4:30 pm on November 26. Saurashtra squad: Jaydev Unadkat (captain), Harvik Desai (wicketkeeper), Jay Gohil, Prerak Mankad, Vishvarajsinh Jadeja, Sammar Gajjar, Ruchit Ahir, Chetan Sakariya, Parth Bhut, Harvansh Singh Pangalia (wicketkeeper), Siddhant Rana, Krains Fuletra, Yuvraj Chudasama, Luckyraj Vaghela, Devang Karamta and Ankur Panwar. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Three youth on way to fair die in Madhepura road accident

JD(U) defends Nitish Kumar over Sonia Gandhi's memoir; Congress questions circumstances behind his exit from INDIA bloc

A political exchange has erupted between the Janata Dal (United) and the Congress over the mention of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi's memoir, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', with JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha defending Kumar's role in the formation of the INDIA bloc, while Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan questioned the circumstances behind his departure from the opposition alliance. Reacting to the remarks in Gandhi's book, Jha criticised the Congress for what he described as a culture of making personal remarks against senior politicians, asserting that Nitish Kumar had played a key role in bringing opposition parties together. What I have particularly noticed in Sonia Gandhi's book is the remark about Nitish Kumar. It reflects what appears to be a new culture within the Congress, where senior leaders make personal and below-the-belt remarks against politicians who have dedicated their lives to public service and the d...

New culture in Congress to malign rivals: JD-U objects to Sonia Gandhi's portrayal of Nitish Kumar in memoir

Digital Desk | Patna, Nov 11 (IANS) The Janata Dal-United (JD-U), taking strong exception to former Congress President Sonia Gandhi's portrayal of Nitish Kumar in her memoir, said on Wednesday that the former Bihar Cghief Minister was in fact the chief architect of INDIA bloc and he was the key player who brought the rival factions together under one umbrella. Sanjay Kumar Jha, JD-U's National Working President, speaking to news reporters in Patna, rejected Sonia Gandhi's claims in her memoir 'Belonging: A Journey of Love' and said that a new culture has emerged within the Congress, where senior party leaders make personal and highly trivial remarks against politicians who have dedicated their entire lives to the service of the nation and their state. The claims in the memoir that Nitish Kumar left the 'INDIA' alliance for flimsy reasons was outrightly baseless and fallacious, he said. Calling out Congress' duplicity, Sanjay Kumar Jha also referred to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's recent distasteful and derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at an event in Patna. It was Nitish Kumar who laid the foundation for INDIA alliance, it was through his initiative and the trust placed in him that the opposition parties came together, the JD-U National working President said, while adding that the former Bihar Chief Minister travelled across the country to bring various opposition leaders together, and the first meeting of the alliance was also held in Patna at his initiative. JD-U's response came in response to Sonia Gandhi's assertions in her autobiography that Nitish Kumar was looking for an opportunity to exit the INDIA bloc and was under the control of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Responding to the claims, Sanjay Kumar Jha said that the INDIA alliance lacked any coherent policy, ideology, or clear vision for the country and discussions in the meetings were focused solely on targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and engaging in rhetoric against him. Highlighting that Nitish Kumar was put in prison for two years, during the Congress-imposed Emergency, the JD-U National Working President said that it is deeply regrettable that such petty and personal remarks have been made about a senior leader of his stature. Rajeev Ranjan Prasad, the JD-U National Spokesperson also accused the Congress veteran Sonia Gandhi of misleading the readers with unverified information, regarding INDIA bloc and unceremonious exit of Nitish Kumar from the alliance. He said that initially, many regional parties apprehensive and opposed to joining the Congress-led alliance and it was Nitish Kumar who convinced them to join hands with the grand old party. He (Nitish Kumar) brought the parties together, following which the first meeting of the INDIA alliance was also held in Patna, Prasad said. He noted that it was because of Congress and allies' competing ambitions and regional political interests that Nitish Kumar saw it unable to mount a challenge to the NDA and eventually exited. The role of the Congress and its allies, their ambitions and regional political interests made it clear that they did not have the capacity to take on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). That is why Nitish Kumar left the INDIA bloc, Prasad said.

Huma Qureshi goes bald for Maharani Season 5; new look hints at a darker, revenge-driven chapter for Rani Bharti

Huma Qureshi is set to return as Rani Bharti in the fifth season of Maharani, but this time, the actress is bringing a dramatic transformation to the screen. Sony LIV has unveiled Huma's striking bald avatar in the latest promotional material for the political drama, offering a glimpse into a darker and more intense chapter in the life of the former Bihar Chief Minister. The unexpected makeover has also sparked curiosity about the circumstances that lead Rani Bharti to embrace this new appearance. The critically acclaimed franchise is set to premiere exclusively on Sony LIV in February 2027. While the makers have kept the exact release date under wraps, the newly released promo hints at a significant shift in the narrative. Moving beyond the political power struggles and statecraft that have defined Rani's journey so far, Maharani Season 5 will explore her pursuit of personal vengeance following the brutal murder of her son, Jai. Speaking about the transformation and what it meant for her portrayal of Rani Bharti, Huma revealed that the upcoming season required her to attempt something she had never done before. She said, This season demanded something that I have never attempted before. Embracing a bald look pushed the boundaries for me as an actor. I was nervous but equally excited. In many ways it gave me deeper insight into who Rani Bharti really is. I have personally always been drawn to characters who are layered and not confined by conventional definitions of right or wrong. It is not often that you get offered a character like Rani Bharti, who constantly challenges the norm, and yet finds the strength to carve her own path ahead. She is one of those characters who has consistently challenged me as an artist, and that is precisely what keeps me excited about playing her with every new season. I am happy that I was able to go this extra mile and that the creators were able to trust me in this direction to bring the character to life. Over the course of four seasons, Rani Bharti has evolved from an unlikely political entrant into a formidable figure who has repeatedly challenged established power structures. Her journey has been marked by personal sacrifices, political confrontations and difficult decisions. The fifth season appears poised to explore another side of the character, as her personal loss becomes central to the story. Created by Subhash Kapoor, Maharani Season 5 is directed by Puneet Prakash and produced by Naren Kumar and Dimple Kharbanda under the banner of Kangra Talkies. With Huma reprising what has become one of her most recognised roles, the upcoming instalment promises to bring together political intrigue and an intensely personal battle for justice and retribution. Maharani Season 5 will premiere exclusively on Sony LIV in February 2027. Also Read: Pooja Meri Jaan: Mrunal Thakur, Huma Qureshi and Vikram Singh Chauhan navigate through a story of perception, consent, and responsibility

Woman Dies By Suicide After Cyber Fraud, Six Held

A 56-year-old woman in Jhalawar died by suicide after being cheated of lakhs of rupees and blackmailed by a cyber fraud gang. Police have arrested six accused from Bihar and detained six minors in connection with the case.

Bihar Board 9th Maths Syllabus 2026-27 Out - Download PDF Online @ biharboardonline.org

The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB), Patna, provides Class 9 syllabus resources for students preparing for their school examinations. Students studying Mathematics during the 2026-27 academic session can check the available chapter-wise curriculum, important topics and marks distribution through the official website at biharboardonline.com.

Gurmeet Choudhary, Debinna Bonnerjee's lovely wishes for daughter Divisha: My heart is full

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Nov 11 (IANS) Actors Gurmeet Choudhary and Debinna Bonnerjee penned lovely wishes for their daughter Divisha as she turned a year older on Wednesday. Taking to her official Instagram handle, Debinna shared a couple of glimpses from their travel diaries, featuring Divisha with her sister Lianna. From eating delicious treats to simply goofing around, Divisha's birthday post is full of some heart-melting moments. Debinna mentioned in her wish that she is extremely elated about the fact that her two daughters have become 'travel buddies' and are constantly making memories together. She wrote on the photo-sharing app, Happy birthday, my little Divisha (White heart emoji) It amazes me how youre growing up you and your sister chose travel over a birthday party this year. Face holding back tears emoji) Travel has always been our breather, our oxygen and now you girls feel it too. (sic). Watching you become each others little travel buddies, with all of us making memories together my heart is full. (Red heart emoji) (sic), Debinna added. Treating the netizens with some more candid moments of the little one, Gurmeet wrote on his account, Happy birthday my love @divishaadiva (sic). Gurmeet and Debinna keep sharing such unseen moments from both their personal and professional life on social media. Recently, Debinna revealed that keeping the Karwa Chauth fast for her husband is a non-negotiable tradition for her. She further revealed that she started keeping the fast even before she got married to Gurmeet. I am Bengali, Gurmeet is Bihari, and our Karwa Chauth has its own love story. When we were dating, our parents were not there to understand each other's customs and traditions. It was just the two of us, along with the desire to celebrate every small and big happiness. So, almost a year after dating, I kept Karwa Chauth for the first time. I was not even married. But the person for whom I had to see the moon was there, Debinna said.

Chhath Puja: Railways Runs 30+ Special Trains As Passengers Head To Bihar, UP; Mumbai Expects 5 Lakh Devotees

The preparations for the Chhath Puja 2026 have gained momentum in several cities, with places such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow gearing up for the festival, which will be attended by several thousand people. The administration is taking steps to ensure

Three minor boys killed, another injured as truck hits motorcycle in Bihar

Three minor boys killed, another injured as truck hits motorcycle in Bihars Darbhanga Patna: Three minor boys were killed, and another was critically injured after an unidentified truck rammed their motorcycle near Bazar Samiti Chowk on NH-27 in Bihars Darbhanga district early Wednesday morning. The four friends were returning home after attending a religious gathering [] The post Three minor boys killed, another injured as truck hits motorcycle in Bihars Darbhanga appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

Prime Minister Modi to Visit Bihar on November 21 for NDA Anniversary Celebration

PM Modi will visit Bihar on November 21 to mark one year of the NDA government, with extensive preparations underway. Prime Minister Modi to Visit Bihar on November 21 for NDA Anniversary Celebration

Sonia Gandhi Recalls Congress' 1999 Failure As Vajpayee-Led BJP Returned To Power, Says 'My Heart Sank'

Sonia Gandhi has spoken about one of the most difficult moments of her early political career. In her new memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, she has recalled how she tried to form a government in 1999 after the Atal Bihari

Mafia rule prevails at every level in Bihar, claims RJD's Tejashwi Yadav

Targeting Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, the RJD national working president asserted that his lack of administrative acumen, inexperience and ineffective leadership had left the police and bureaucracy virtually unaccountable

Chhath rush: Railways adds special trains as demand for Bihar travel surges

Waiting lists on several Bihar-bound trains have crossed 150, with some trains reporting no availability for fresh bookings on certain dates

Tejashwi Yadav Criticizes NDA Government for Financial Chaos and Administrative Failures in Bihar

Tejashwi Yadav condemns Bihars NDA government for rampant crime and administrative disarray, questioning leadership effectiveness. Tejashwi Yadav Criticizes NDA Government for Financial Chaos and Administrative Failures in Bihar

Chhath Puja 2026: 5 Traditional Bihari Dishes That Are Prepared For The Festival Every Year

Celebrated with fasting, prayers and special offerings, Chhath Puja is also known for its traditional festive food.

Complaint filed against Minister Priyank Kharge for linking RSS to 44,250 cartridge seizure case

A complaint was filed against Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge for allegedly spreading misinformation on social media. The complaint specifically accuses him of linking the RSS to a recent ammunition seizure in Bihar and Haryana. BJP MP Tejasvi Surya condemned the minister for peddling what he termed as fake news. Former Bengaluru Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao also criticized Kharge's actions, urging him to uphold the dignity of his office.

Bunker Roy (1945-2026): A Compassionate Revolutionary in Tilonia Assuming Planetary Significance

SANJIT BUNKER ROY , the founder of Barefoot College and one of India's best-known and globally acclaimed grassroots development workers, was a splendid example of an Indian whose life and work represented a passionate and arduous striving for uplifting village people and ensuring them their legitimate entitlements in tune with Mahatma Gandhis vision of heralding renaissance across vast swathes of rural India. His sad demise on November 10, 2026, at his home in Tilonia, Rajasthan, in the presence of his illustrious activist wife, Aruna Ray and several villagers underscored his enduring legacy of exemplary service to village people till his last breath. He was 81, and his extraordinary constructive work for the rural folks constituted a shining example of revolutionising the lives of villagers in a compassionate manner. Born into a prominent Brahmo upper-middle-class family from Kolkata in 1945, Roy had the privilege of being groomed with a secular outlook and educated in the elite Doon School in Dehradun and St Stephens College in Delhi. His own self-critical evaluation of his education was best expressed when he said, I went to the wrong school, wrong college and came back with a lot of arrogance. After my education, he said, I had a lot of fancy degrees and was told that I could overcome any problem. What transformed his life and outlook was his visit to famine-ravaged Palamu in Bihar (now Jharkhand) in 1966 and his utter inability to cope up with life in a village there in spite of studying in excellent educational institutions and securing high distinctions as a bright student. Apart from his excellence as a student, he proved himself to be an accomplished sportsperson by becoming Indias squash champion thrice. But the inner driving force silently guiding Bunker was an irresistible yearning which could be best described by employing the caption of an article Wanted Rural Mindedness authored by Mahatma Gandhi. He deeply realised that in spite of getting schooled in the best of educational institutions, he was incapable of placing himself in a rural setting marked by the absence of essential conditions for acquiring social and educational capabilities to lead a dignified life. Therefore, he preferred to stay in a village and resolved to improve the lived experience of villagers by establishing the Social Work and Research Centre (SWRC) in Tilonia, Rajasthan. The organisation was reckoned with great admiration across the world as Barefoot College emerged as a nucleus for harnessing the invaluable skills of village dwellers which they never got through the formal process of schooling in any educational institution, be it an institute of technology or engineering. What he did through that College for augmenting the human development indices of the village by liberating them from the whirlpool of deprivation and discrimination is worthy of emulation for our time, marked by the accelerated process of urbanisation and AI-driven algorithms mocking peoples traditional skills acquired through the process of living by using locally available resources. Bunker Roys articulations in the context of Tilonia and Barefoot College that Every failure is a beginning. Everyone had a chance in Tilonia. This is a place for cop outs, drop-outs and washouts embodied the optimism of Gandhi, who famously said that he would harness the ability of dumb millions to liberate India from the clutches of the mighty British Empire. That was the reason why Roy, while drawing on the strength of village people devoid of formal educational qualifications, brought together the most ordinary village people, a large segment of which consisted of women. It was fascinating to see such women, never having attended school, emerge as engineers to harness electricity from sunlight and hailed as Solar Mamas for their contributions in bringing clean energy to thousands of houses and even communities located in distant parts of the world. Women from the villages were initially trained as handpump istrys, excelled as solar mamas and forged their tryst with empowerment and set an example for the rest of the country and indeed the world. Its model placed technical knowledge in the hands of people who were often excluded from discussions about technology and development. Education was another important part of Roy's work. Barefoot College established night schools for children who could not attend regular classes because they worked or helped their families during the day. The initiative recognised that conventional schooling did not always accommodate the circumstances of rural children. The institution also worked on rainwater harvesting, healthcare and traditional crafts, linking its programmes to the everyday requirements of village life. When, in 1986, he was conferred with Padma Shri, the citation catalogued his precious work in employing the phrase, Tilonia Movement, and remarking that the idea was to start a process of generating awareness and at the same time demystifying technology, making it simple, effective, inexpensive and accessible. In the Thinkers Category listed by Time Magazine in 2010, he figured as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. Several other prestigious awards such as the Jamnalal Bajaj Award for Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development (1985), the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement (2004), the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship (2005), the Blue Planet Prize (2011) and the Clinton Global Citizen Award in 2013 testified to his glorious legacy rooted in his enduring services driven by the passion to uplift rural areas by adopting sustainable paths of development. A year back in 2025, King Charles III of the United Kingdom referred to the precious work done by Roy and remarked, I am constantly singing your praises whenever I can, especially in Africa. There is much to discuss as I have many initiatives going on around the world Roys advent in the rural setting and his adventure in finding the worth of extremely ordinary village folks need to be seen in the context of his wife Aruna Roys pathbreaking work as the president of the National Federation of Indian Women and founder of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan. She quit the IAS and engaged in relentless struggles for mobilising workers and farmers to secure their entitlements for minimum wages and their right to hold the Government to account. The epic struggle for the Right to Information, combined with manifold movements for transparency and the Right to Food and education, originated against the backdrop of Roy's seminal work in Tilonia as a compassionate revolutionary. Aruna, in her memoir, The Personal is Political, acknowledged, The need for an RTI law was built brick by brick, incident by incident. If the IAS showed what should not be, Barefoot College SWRC gave me a platform to evolve what should be. Bunker Roys legacy is of enduring significance in the context of the calamitous consequences humanity is confronting as the spectre of man-made global warming and climate change is wreaking havoc on the planet. The statement issued by his family after his passing away said, Bunker Roy passed away peacefully at 6.15 am with Aruna (wife and activist Aruna Roy) and others around him. He went as he wanted to, in his own home in Tilonia, surrounded by some of the countless people who loved and cared for him deeply and admired him for his lifelong contribution to people, society, India, and the planet. He was truly a planetary citizen and his life and work would shine for ever leading the weary humanity to appreciate the meaning and significance of sustainable development in this Age of Anthropocene defined, among others, in terms of too much of human activity disproportionately using the energy and resources of the planet and imperilling it.

Southern Railway Announces Chhath Special Express Trains From Tamil Nadu To Bihar

The specials will traverse major transit routes, with scheduled stoppages across Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand.

Patna Becomes India's Second City With Water Metro As Bihar CM Inaugurates Ganga Service At Rs 50 Fare

4-year-old girl raped in Goa; Bihar native arrested, 2nd such case in a week

The incident occurred late night on November 10 at Shristhal village in Canacona taluka of Kushavati district, a senior police officer told PTI

Priyank Kharge faces complaint over RSS remarks on ammunition seizure

Bengaluru: Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge has landed in a controversy after a social activist lodged a complaint against him at Banashankari police station, accusing him of spreading misleading information linking the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to the seizure of 44,250 live cartridges in Bihar and Haryana. The complaint, submitted on Tuesday, alleged that Kharge used Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Rs 2-Crore Defender For Son-In-Law, BMW For Son? Bihar MLA Anant Singhs Lavish Gifts Video Goes Viral

This wedding is set to be one of the most talked-about celebrations in Bihar.

Hyderabad set for grand Chhath Puja celebrations at 28 venues

Hyderabad: Preparations are underway for Chhath Puja celebrations in Hyderabad. The celebrations are being organised by the Bihar Association. In the city, the celebrations will take place on November 14, 15 and 16. Devotees from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and parts of West Bengal are expected to participate in large numbers and offer prayers to Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Police Complaint Filed Against Priyank Kharge Over AI Image Post On RSS And Ammunition Haul

Police complaint against Priyank Kharge said the Congress leader knowingly spread false misinformation by linking the RSS to the seizure of over 44,000 live cartridges in Bihar and Haryana

Bihar Secures Renewable Power at

Patna, November 11: Bihar Secures Renewable Power Bihar is set to receive 200 megawatts of renewable electricity, following the approval from the Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) for Bihar Secures Renewable Power at 4.25 per Unit

Bihar Board Opens Registration For Free JEE, NEET Coaching 2027; Apply By November 19

JEE Main 2027 Session one is scheduled for January twenty to twenty eight in thirteen languages; NEET 2027 exam date is yet to be announced.

The Disposable Academic

There is a particular indignity in being asked to perform the work of an academic while being treated as though one merely occupies a temporary space in an institution. In Jammu and Kashmirs government colleges, lecturers engaged in Academic Arrangement teach, prepare students, evaluate their work and sustain the intellectual life of the institution. Yet the terms of engagement communicate another message: their labour is necessary, but their professional existence is provisional. This is not an administrative inconvenience. It is a structural feature of a system that has normalised the use of academic labour without accepting the obligations that should accompany it. I write not as a distant observer, but as someone working as a lecturer on Academic Arrangement. Inside the classroom, one is expected to command a subject, exercise judgement, guide students and carry the authority of a teacher. Outside it, one is reminded that this authority rests on an engagement that may end with the academic session, that continuity is uncertain and that the institution can require ones labour without offering the security ordinarily associated with a professional appointment. The lecturer is thus made academically present and institutionally absent: visible when work must be done, precarious when rights and recognition are discussed. The official language is revealing. Government Order No. 137-JK(HE) of 2024 provides for need-based engagement, limits appointments to a maximum of one academic session and confers no right to continuation in a subsequent session. The arrangement responds to teaching requirements arising from staff shortages, new subjects and changing enrolment. The official portal continues to advertise engagements for 2026-27 under this framework. But this distinction cannot become a moral alibi for indefinite dependence on insecure labour. A temporary mechanism may be defensible as an exceptional measure. When it becomes a recurring instrument for organising essential teaching, its temporariness begins to look less like an exception and more like a governing principle. The problem, therefore, is not simply that the engagement is contractual. Contractualisation has become a way of separating responsibility from necessity. The institution needs the lecturer sufficiently to entrust them with students and syllabi, but not sufficiently to guarantee a stable professional life. The work is continuous in its consequences, even when the contract is discontinuous in its terms. The institution, however, treats the person performing this work as replaceable at the end of an engagement period. The contradiction between educational continuity and employment discontinuity is borne by teachers and students. The financial terms sharpen this contradiction. Academic Arrangement faculty in government degree colleges have been reported as receiving Rs 28,000 per month, while seeking improved remuneration and year-round financial security. This figure is not merely arithmetic; it is a statement about how academic labour is valued. Many of these teachers possess PhDs and qualifications such as NET, SET or JRF. They have spent years acquiring specialised knowledge, conducting research and meeting the formal requirements through which academic competence is certified. Their advanced academic qualifications make it difficult to defend a remuneration structure that treats such preparation as though it carries little institutional value. A college cannot invoke merit when selecting its teachers and then behave as though the merit it has selected is worth only a subsistence honorarium. I sometimes use a deliberately uncomfortable comparison to describe this condition. We are treated, I say sarcastically, no better than labourers who migrate from Bihar in search of work and are paid wages for the labour they perform. The only difference, in my formulation, is that they may be offered Navla and Kuber by those who employ them, while lecturers on Academic Arrangement are not even extended that elementary gesture by college authorities. The comparison exposes a hierarchy in which academic prestige conceals an increasingly ordinary extraction of labour: work is demanded, the worker is replaceable, and dignity is incidental. It is a bitter joke because it describes a condition that should have no place in an institution devoted to education. The deeper issue is the distinction between professional function and institutional status. A lecturer may be entrusted with classroom responsibilities similar to those of a regular colleague, yet remain outside the security, benefits and recognition attached to regular service. This produces a second-class academic existence. Precarity becomes especially humiliating when accompanied by demands for complete professional commitment. The teacher is asked to behave as a permanent member of the academic community while being reminded that the institution assumes no comparable permanence towards them. There is a philosophical question here that cannot be reduced to higher wages: what does an institution owe to those whose labour makes its stated purpose possible? It is a public institution entrusted with the formation of judgement, the transmission of knowledge and the preparation of citizens. Its ethical character is revealed not only in what it teaches students, but also in how it treats those who teach them. An institution that speaks of dignity, equality and opportunity while organising its workforce through chronic insecurity creates a contradiction between its educational message and its employment practices. It teaches equality as an idea while practising hierarchy as an arrangement. The defence that Academic Arrangement is need-based must also be examined. Need is not accidental when the same institutions repeatedly require teachers to conduct classes. If a subject needs a lecturer year after year, the requirement is no longer adequately described as a passing contingency. The state must explain why recurring academic requirements are met through annually renewed insecurity rather than timely recruitment and a credible staffing policy. Otherwise, need becomes a convenient device: permanent enough to justify extracting labour, but temporary whenever responsibility is raised. This is not an argument for bypassing the Public Service Commission, weakening merit or demanding automatic regularisation. Public recruitment must remain fair, transparent and constitutionally defensible. Yet the integrity of regular recruitment does not require the degradation of those engaged temporarily. Between automatic regularisation and indefinite precarity lie principled measures: predictable engagement periods, fair and periodically revised remuneration, payment for the full period of work required, social security protections, transparent renewal criteria and a time-bound recruitment calendar. Temporary employment must not become a permanent substitute for institutional planning. The government has acknowledged that remuneration enhancement is under consideration, including examination of parity with similarly situated faculty elsewhere, although the matter has encountered financial scrutiny. Acknowledgement, however, is not reform. Administrative consideration is meaningful only when it produces a decision, a timeline and an assessable outcome. The language of examination, concurrence and financial implications cannot become an indefinite postponement of a question concerning livelihood and professional dignity. College administrations, too, must recognise that contractual status does not cancel professional personhood. Academic Arrangement lecturers should not be treated as peripheral hands summoned to fill a timetable and forgotten once the immediate requirement is met. Respect cannot depend solely on the courtesy of an individual principal; it must be embedded in institutional practice. Nor should teachers remain silent about unequal treatment out of fear that speaking may jeopardise future engagement. A system that makes professional speech risky undermines the intellectual independence higher education is supposed to cultivate. There is also a cost to students that rarely enters the calculation. A teacher preoccupied with whether an appointment will continue, how long the next income gap will last or whether a family can be sustained on the available remuneration carries an avoidable burden alongside the demands of teaching. Many continue to teach with seriousness and dedication. But dedication should not become an institutional resource used to compensate for the absence of decent employment conditions. The moral worth of a teachers commitment cannot be measured by how much insecurity that teacher is willing to endure. Jammu and Kashmirs higher education system cannot credibly speak of quality, innovation and educational transformation while leaving a substantial part of its teaching workforce in permanent uncertainty. The question is not whether every academic engagement must be permanent. It is whether a public institution can repeatedly depend on skilled teachers while refusing to treat their livelihood and professional standing as institutional concerns. Academic labour is not an expendable input; it is the human foundation of education. To reduce those who perform it to a category of second-class academics is to diminish the institution itself. The demand, then, is not for privilege. It is for coherence between the public purpose of higher education and the conditions under which that purpose is realised. A lecturer who teaches, evaluates and guides students is doing academic work, irrespective of the label attached to the appointment. The state may distinguish between modes of recruitment; it cannot use that distinction to deny the value of labour it has chosen to employ. If Academic Arrangement is genuinely temporary, it must remain temporary in duration and exceptional in use. If it has become indispensable to the ordinary functioning of colleges, the state must confront that reality through a just and credible policy. The measure of a higher education system is not only the knowledge it claims to produce, but the dignity it affords those entrusted with producing it. Dr Zahid Sultan, Independent researcher based in Srinagar, India.

Website of the 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas to be launched in Delhi today

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 11 (IANS) The official website of the 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) is scheduled to be launched on Wednesday in New Delhi, marking an important step towards preparations for the upcoming edition of the annual diaspora convention, according to the officials. The website will be jointly inaugurated by External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at Chanakya Hall in Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi. The launch is expected to provide prospective participants with access to registration facilities and essential information about the upcoming event. The 19th edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas will be organised from January 7 to 9 next year in Kolkata, West Bengal, bringing together members of the Indian diaspora and other stakeholders to strengthen their engagement with the country. The convention will be organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in collaboration with the West Bengal government. The theme for this edition is 'From Roots to Return: Reigniting Diaspora Connect with Bharat', highlighting the importance of reconnecting the Indian diaspora with its roots and deepening its relationship with the country. The website has been jointly developed by the Government of India and the Government of West Bengal to facilitate participation in the three-day convention. According to the officials, the website will serve as a key platform for individuals interested in attending the event, allowing prospective participants to complete their registration and access relevant details about the programme. Apart from providing registration facilities, the portal will also disseminate important announcements, updates and other information related to the convention. It will further provide details about the various activities and events scheduled to take place alongside the main Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas celebrations. The Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas Convention was first instituted in 2003 during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It was conceived as a formal mechanism to connect with and recognise the overseas Indian community and to strengthen their engagement with India. Since 2015, the MEA has revised the format of the event by organising the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas Convention as a biennial gathering, with theme-based conferences held in the intervening years. This approach enables more focused discussions on specific areas of interest and fosters meaningful interaction and networking among members of the global Indian diaspora. Over the years, the Convention has facilitated the exchange of knowledge, skills and experiences across sectors, strengthening India's ties with its diaspora. President Droupadi Murmu will confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards and preside over the Valedictory Session. The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award is the highest honour conferred on a Non-Resident Indian, a Person of Indian Origin, or an organisation or institution established and run by them. The award recognises contributions by members of the Indian diaspora towards enhancing India's image abroad, supporting India's causes and working for the welfare of local Indian communities.

Bihar CM suspends 15 officers for negligence of duty

Nine officers of Revenue and Land Reforms Department (RLRD) four officers from the Public Health Engineering Department and one officer each from the Rural Development Department and the Urban Development Department have faced the action.

Bihar Cabinet hikes 3% DA for employees, pensioners

The Cabinet approved the Bihar Ki Beti Startup Challenge Scheme, under which, 2,100 female students may be provided benefits beginning from the current financial year

Bihar parties eye UP turf, but poll gains wont be easy

8 in 10 Indians with mental health conditions lack access to care

Complaint filed against Priyank Kharge for linking RSS to cartridge seizure

Digital Desk | Bengaluru, Nov 10 (IANS) A police complaint has been filed against Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge at the Banashankari Police Station in Bengaluru on Tuesday, alleging that he circulated false and misleading information on social media platform X linking the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to the seizure of live cartridges in Bihar and Haryana. The complainant has urged the police to register an FIR against Kharge under Sections 192, 196 and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, alleging that his statements could promote enmity between groups and cause public mischief. According to the complaint, Kharge allegedly attempted to associate the RSS with the seizure of approximately 44,250 live cartridges in Bihar and Haryana through his posts and statements. The complainant alleged that the remarks and insinuations created an impression that the organisation was connected with the alleged criminal activity. The complaint further alleged that the Home Minister circulated unverified information with the potential to create hostility, spread misinformation and disturb peace and communal harmony in society. It stated that if the information was knowingly circulated despite its alleged falsity, the matter warranted a criminal investigation, particularly considering the potential impact of such statements on public harmony. The complainant argued that Kharge's position as the Home Minister, responsible for monitoring law and order in the state, should not shield him from a criminal investigation. Statements made by a Home Minister carry significant authority and influence over the general public. Circulating false information from such a position can create unnecessary suspicion, hostility, damage the reputation of organisations and disturb social harmony, the complaint stated. The complainant urged the Banashankari police to act independently and in accordance with the provisions of the BNS and principles laid down by the Supreme Court. The complaint also stressed that no individual was above the law and that the same legal standards applicable to an ordinary citizen should apply to a person holding constitutional office. Seeking a fair and independent investigation, the complainant urged the police to register an FIR if the information and accompanying evidence disclosed cognisable offences under the applicable provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. There was no immediate information available on whether the police had registered an FIR or initiated further action on the complaint.

Cabinet clears building bylaws with deemed map approval

Youth missing after clash in Vaishali village

Rlys to run AC spl train on Patna - New Delhi route

Two FIRs against IPS officers estranged wife over protest at SPs residence

PMCs Rs 200-cr bonds listed on NSE; Samrat rings bell

CM inspects Chhath ghats, reviews preparations

Sanitation workers threaten fresh statewide strike

PMC Debuts On NSE With Rs 200-Crore Bond Listing; Bihar's First Civic Body To Tap Bond Market

Patna Municipal Corporation raised Rs 199.99 crore through its maiden bond issue, with proceeds earmarked for infrastructure projects across 15 locations in the Bihar capital.

Major Maoist Arms Cache Discovered in Bihars Lakhisarai

A joint operation in Lakhisarai led to the discovery of a significant Maoist arms cache, including firearms and ammunition. Major Maoist Arms Cache Discovered in Bihars Lakhisarai

30 IAS officers promoted, two elevated to ACS rank

Bihar: Maoist arms dump busted in Lakhisarai

Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 10 (IANS) The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), in a joint operation with the Bihar Police, busted a naxal arms dump in Lakhisarai on Tuesday. The operation was carried out by troops of the 29 Bn SSB and local police personnel. The arms dump was located at Simratri village. Among the weapons seized was a carbine. Several rounds of ammunition and tactical equipment, including a binocular, were also recovered. The SSB has been part of similar operations in the past as well. On October 7, troops of the same battalion, along with Bihar Police personnel, unearthed a hidden arms and ammunition dump in the DhangaiTeletand forest area of Gaya Ji. The recovered items then included a 9mm carbine, two country-made guns, pistol magazines, a 5-watt radio telephony set, 79 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and 13 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. While the Maoists were active, cadres would carefully pack weapons, ammunition and other equipment and store them at strategic locations for use at short notice. This was done when the cadres moved out of the forested areas to interact with locals and gather intelligence. Now that the insurgency has been effectively countered, security agencies have to trace such dumps and seize the weapons, an official said. Similar seizures have been made in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Odisha. Even explosive substances have been recovered during some operations. According to officials, while the top leadership has either surrendered or been eliminated or arrested, several lower-rung cadres may have escaped and returned to the mainstream without informing the authorities. Such members of the outfit may know the locations of the arms and use them in future for criminal activities. Such arms dumps may also be located by criminal gangs. The recovery of the weapons is crucial. Surrendered and arrested Naxalites are often urged to reveal their locations. Some of the stores are found during combing operations. Sometimes the dumps are found by locals who enter the forests. While a Naxal Mukt Bharat has been achieved, all weapons will also have to be accounted for, the official said. Similar operations are also carried out in Manipur and other insurgency-affected states. Central Armed Police Forces like the SSB participate in these operations along with the state police.

Gram kachaharis resolve over 49k cases since Jan 2025

CM suspends 15 officials over poor handling of complaints

NDA to hold block-level meetings to mobilise workers for PMs Vaishali visit

8 Giridih workers rescued from Bihar

Bihar DA hike ahead of Chhath Puja: State govt employees' allowance rises from 60% to 63% check details

The Bihar Cabinet has approved a three-percentage-point increase in dearness allowance for state employees and dearness relief for pensioners, effective July 1, 2026. 

JD(U) hints at post-poll rift, BJP says all is well

AQI drops to 199, City witnesses slight improvement in pollution level

Patna becomes Indias 2nd city after Kochi to get Water Metro

Patnas museums turn history into immersive experience for visitors

Contractor held for posing as vigilance officer, extorting engineers

Inside Bihar Museum: The Artefacts That Secured Its Top 2026 Spot

Outranking the Louvre and the Met, the Bihar Museum earned its #1 spot thanks to extraordinary artefacts like the 3rd-century BCE Didarganj Yakshi, rare Pala bronzes, and Patna Qalam paintings. Discover the timeless masterpieces putting India's rich history on the global stage.

Manjhi urges Centre to set up PGIMER in Gaya

'Should have been moderate in criticising him': Sonia on Vajpayee

Sonia Gandhi's memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, reveals her interactions with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, including a phone call after the 2001 Parliament attack and a heated exchange during a joint session in 2002 over the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO). Gandhi recounts Vajpayee's strong reaction to her criticism and her later reflection on the incident.

Bihar SLET 2026 Exam Rescheduled: New Date and Admit Card Details

The Bihar School Education Board has rescheduled the SLET 2026 exam to November 23, moving it from the original date of November 22 due to scheduling conflicts. Candidates can download their admit cards starting November 17 from the official website. The exam will be conducted in a Computer-Based Test format, featuring 150 multiple-choice questions across two sections. This article provides essential details on the new exam date, admit card download process, and the exam pattern to help candidates prepare effectively.

Bihar Government Increases DA by 3% for Employees and Pensioners Ahead of Chhath Festival

Bihars government announces a 3% DA hike for employees and pensioners before Chhath, providing financial relief to many. Bihar Government Increases DA by 3% for Employees and Pensioners Ahead of Chhath Festival

Bihar Cabinet approves 31 proposals, announces DA hike for govt employees ahead of Chhath

Digital Desk | Patna, Nov 10 (IANS) The Bihar Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, on Tuesday approved 31 proposals, including an increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for government employees and pensioners ahead of the Chhath festival. As a pre-Chhath gift, the Bihar government has raised DA for employees and pensioners covered under different pay commission scales. Those receiving salaries or pensions under the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) will now get DA at 63 per cent, up from 60 per cent. For beneficiaries under the 5th CPC, the rate has been increased from 483 per cent to 497 per cent, while those covered by the 6th CPC will receive 269 per cent instead of 262 per cent. In another major decision, the state Cabinet approved the launch of the 'Bihar Ki Beti Startup Challenge' scheme, which aims to benefit 2,100 students between the financial years 2026-27 and 2029-30. An allocation of Rs 88.20 crore has been approved for the initiative. The Bihar Cabinet also sanctioned Rs 1,399.60 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) for the 2026-27 financial year. The amount will be used to provide financial assistance to selected rural families for constructing permanent houses. Another proposal approved Rs 8.25 crore for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to operate 159 kiosks under the 'Prison Calling Solution' across 59 jails in Bihar. The facility will be implemented on an operational expenditure (OPEX) model for five years. The Bihar Cabinet also gave its nod to the Bihar Building Code 2026, aimed at promoting Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living, while reducing regulatory compliance requirements. The new code is expected to simplify the building permission process and make it more transparent and citizen-friendly. In another decision, the Bihar government approved Rs 44.52 crore for acquiring 9 acres and 73 decimals of land for the construction of a bus stand in Hajipur. The decisions cover a range of areas, including employee welfare, entrepreneurship, rural housing, prison infrastructure, urban development and public transport.

'Haunted by misery on meeting victims': Sonia Gandhi recounts horrors of 2002 Gujarat riots

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has revisited the horrors of the 2002 Gujarat riots, recalling that she was haunted by misery upon meeting the victims and blamed the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi-led state administration for failing to respond. In her memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love, released on Tuesday, the then-Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha described travelling to Ahmedabad as part of an all-party parliamentary delegation, visiting relief camps housing survivors, and witnessing the physical and emotional devastation inflicted on families caught in the violence. When I was leader of the opposition in Parliament, I met the victims of many tragedies, and each time I was haunted by the misery I had witnessed. In 2002 the state of Gujarat was ravaged by communal riots; much of the carnage was televised live with the advent of cable TV and shook the country with its fearsome images. The riots were triggered when four coaches of the Sabarmati Express were set on fire and fifty-nine pilgrims died. The train was returning to the state capital Ahmedabad from Ayodhya carrying Hindu kar sevaks-volunteers for the Ram temple, she wrote in her book. Gandhi also recalled watching television reports of the violence with disbelief and horror, while attempting to reach Congress colleagues in Gujarat who were calling for assistance. The cause of the fire remains disputed, but the turmoil that followed spread to many parts of the state, and the victims were overwhelmingly Muslims. We watched the live reports in horror, and tried to get help to our colleagues in Gujarat who were calling us in desperation, but the administration failed to respond, she added. The riots were said to have been fuelled by a fanatical fringe of the BJP and RSS, the Bajrang Dal. The chief minister of the state at the time was Narendra Modi, Gandhi wrote in her memoir. She further recounted her experience of meeting the survivors of the massacre at relief camps in Gujarat. After the meeting, we were herded into a bus 'for security reasons', then taken to some of the relief camps housing the survivors of the massacre. It was in one of the camps crowded by traumatised men, women, and children squatting in a makeshift hall that the most wrenching moment came for me, she said. The Congress leader recalled that inside that camp, a child appeared physically weakened, with a gaunt face and a dazed expression. The father held her up before the visiting politicians and pleaded with them to look at what had happened to his daughter. Here, this is my child-take a look at her, take a good look. The rakshasas (demons) raped her again and again, he told the delegation, as per Gandhi's account. The man then broke down, asking the visitors what he could possibly do to help his daughter and pleading for someone to intervene. According to Gandhi's memoir, the man then said: Main kya karun, kya karun? Kuch karo, kuch karo. We were shattered. I stood in a state of stupor, gripped by horror and unable to speak or react beyond a few mumbled words of sympathy, she expressed. The Congress leader said that then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was widely expected to dismiss Chief Minister Modi, but it's said that pressure from within his party compelled him to desist. There was an international outcry, and the governments of the US, UK, and some European countries declared in 2005 that they would not grant the Gujarat chief minister a visa. Twelve years later, they would all felicitate him when he became prime minister of India, Gandhi wrote.

Bihar CM inspects Ganga Ghats, says 90 safe for Chhath

Digital Desk | Patna, Nov 10 (IANS) Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary inspected preparations for the upcoming Chhath festival at several ghats along the Ganga in Patna on Tuesday evening, travelling by boat from Nasriganj Ghat to Gai Ghat. He was accompanied by BJP National Secretary Nitin Nabin, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Health Ministers Nishant Kumar, Ram Kripal Yadav and Mithilesh Tiwari. Digha MLA Sanjeev Chaurasia, other public representatives and senior officials from various government departments also joined the inspection. Danapur Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Virupaksh Vikram Singh and Municipal Council Executive Officer-cum-Administrator Siddharth Harshvardhan were also present. During the boat journey, the Chief Minister reviewed arrangements at various Chhath ghats, including cleanliness, security, barricading, lighting, access routes and facilities for devotees. He directed officials to ensure that all necessary arrangements are completed on time, with particular attention to safety. Speaking after the inspection, Choudhary said it was the second consecutive day that he had reviewed preparations for the festival. He said the district administration was working continuously and incorporating suggestions received from public representatives and residents. According to the Chief Minister, 90 of the 103 ghats in Patna have been assessed as completely safe, while around 13 have been identified as hazardous. He said the state government and district administration were making comprehensive arrangements to ensure the safety and convenience of devotees observing the Chhath rituals. Thousands of devotees gather at the Ganga ghats in Patna during the four-day festival to offer arghya (prayers and offerings) to the setting and rising Sun. The large gatherings make crowd management, sanitation and safety at riverbanks key challenges for the administration. Choudhary also invited people from other states to visit Bihar and witness the devotion, purity and traditional fervour associated with Chhath Puja. With the festival approaching, administrative preparations have been intensified across the city. Officials now face the task of completing arrangements at the identified safe ghats while ensuring adequate security measures and alternative facilities for devotees at locations declared hazardous.

Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary reviews Chhath preparations, says 90 of 103 ghats safe for devotees

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Tuesday reviewed preparations for the upcoming Chhath festival for the second consecutive day, stating that 90 out of 103 ghats across the state have been found completely safe for devotees, while the remaining 13 have been identified and marked as dangerous or unsuitable for use. Choudhary said the district administration was continuously working on the basis of suggestions and feedback received from various people to ensure proper arrangements for the festival. For the second consecutive day, preparations for the grand Chhath festival were reviewed. The district administration is continuously working on the basis of the suggestions and feedback received from various people. Out of the 103 ghats, 90 have been found to be completely safe. The remaining 13 ghats have been identified and marked, as they are either dangerous or not suitable for use, the Chief Minister said. He further assured that the district administration and the state governm...

Bihar: PMC raises nearly Rs 200 crore through bonds; becomes first ULB to list on NSE

Digital Desk | Patna, Nov 10 (IANS) The Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has raised nearly Rs 200 crore through municipal bonds, becoming the first urban local body in Bihar to have its bonds listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). A formal ceremony was held on Tuesday to mark the listing, with Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary inaugurating the process by ringing the ceremonial bell. The bond listing is being viewed as a significant step towards strengthening the financial independence of urban local bodies and creating alternative funding mechanisms for infrastructure development. It is the first time that the PMC has raised funds directly from the capital market through municipal bonds, reducing its dependence on government grants and conventional revenue sources. The bond issue had a base size of approximately Rs 100.03 crore. Bidding was conducted on October 30 through the NSE's electronic platform, attracting investor demand exceeding Rs 205 crore. Following the strong response, the issue size was increased to nearly Rs 200 crore, enabling the corporation to raise Rs 199.99 crore. The bonds carry an annual interest rate of 9.20 per cent and have a tenure of 10 years. The corporation will make quarterly interest payments during the first four years. Thereafter, repayment of the principal and interest will be made in quarterly instalments. The maturity dates for different tranches are scheduled between 2030 and 2036. The funds will primarily be used to develop urban infrastructure, including vending zones, commercial complexes, parking facilities, marriage halls and community amenities. Patna Mayor Sita Sahu said the corporation plans to execute 18 development projects at 15 locations across the city. These include 12 vending zones, two marriage halls, one parking facility, one commercial complex, one hotel and one community centre, Sahu said. The objective is to organise the city's currently unplanned street-vending activities and provide better civic amenities. Designated vending spaces will help reduce encroachment on roads and footpaths, improve traffic movement and bring greater order to markets, Sahu said. Of the 15 sites, 10 are located on land owned by the municipal corporation, four on land belonging to the Road Construction Department and one on land owned by the Bihar State Housing Board. The estimated cost of the projects is Rs 270.45 crore. While approximately Rs 200 crore will come from the bond proceeds, the remaining amount will be met from the corporation's internal resources. The projects are expected to be completed within six months to 18 months. The facilities are also expected to generate additional revenue for the corporation through shop rentals, parking fees, marriage hall bookings and other commercial activities. Addressing the ceremony, Samrat Choudhary said strengthening Bihar's economy and keeping pace with global developments were key objectives of the government. He described the expansion of the bond issue from its initial size of around Rs 100 crore to nearly Rs 200 crore as a significant achievement. He also said Bihar had faced economic setbacks following the state's bifurcation, but had made progress since 2005 through the efforts of former Chief Ministers Nitish Kumar and former Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi.

8 women and children among 19 report dog bite cases in J&K town

Mendhar, Nov 10: At least 19 people, including eight women and children, reported dog bite cases at a sub-district hospital in Mendhar in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Tuesday. According to an official report, the dog-bite victims belonged to different areas of Mendhar and also included people from outside the region who were currently staying there. Among the patients, 11 had suffered category 2 bites, involving minor scratches or abrasions without bleeding, while the rest had Category 3 bites, characterised by deep cuts, puncture wounds, tears or any bite that penetrates the skin and causes bleeding. The victims' ages ranged from 14 to 65 years. The affected persons were reported from Sagra, Ari Kasab, Dabraj, Sakhi Majdan, Dharana, Jara Wali Gali, Topa, BG, Chajjla, Basooni, Gohlad, Thera Topa and Mankote, among other areas. Two of the patients were from Madhya Pradesh and Bihar and were presently residing in Mendhar, the report said.

No woman politician has endured as much: Mehbooba Mufti calls Sonia Gandhi's memoir 'beautiful'; slams BJP over Nehru remarks

Srinagar , November 10 : Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday praised Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi's memoir 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', saying that no woman politician had endured as much as she had, while also defending the legacy of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and criticising the BJP's ideological approach. Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Mufti said she had witnessed Sonia Gandhi's evolution as a political leader and stateswoman and admired her strength in dealing with personal tragedies, including the assassinations of her mother-in-law, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and husband Rajiv Gandhi. I have seen Sonia Gandhi evolving into a leader and then into a stateswoman. She has gone through a lot. I mean, in my opinion, no woman politician has endured as much as she has. And the way she carried herself, especially when, you know, the trauma her children faced when their grandmother and then father Rajiv ji was killed... I mean, that must have been very emotionally taxing on her, Mufti said. But still, to come up with such a beautiful book, with so many, you know, happy memories--of course, there are sad occasions also in it. I think it's something, you know, really I admire in her. She has the capacity, she has the, you know... she has the strength to bear it all, she added. Mufti also criticised the BJP over its remarks on Nehru, highlighting his contribution to nation-building and the establishment of institutions after Independence. And the way the BJP people--the way they are talking about Jawaharlal Nehru--what would they understand about Jawaharlal Nehru? Jawaharlal Nehru was the person, was the Prime Minister who, at a time when the whole country... before Independence, he went to jail; his daughter went to jail. After that, that family gave two Prime Ministers who sacrificed their lives for this country. That is Jawaharlal Nehru's legacy, she said. She further credited Nehru with steering the country through the communal tensions surrounding Partition and establishing institutions, industries and basic infrastructure. He steered this nation at a time when Hindus and Muslims were thirsty for each other's blood. And this country had virtually nothing. Education was hardly even 15 to 20 per cent. After that, he gave institutions here, gave ISRO, through which they are launching satellites and other things into space today. He built this nation, gave it industries, gave it basic infrastructure, which today they are handing over entirely to Adani, Mufti said. In my view, the BJP cannot understand Jawaharlal Nehru because their mentality, their mindset, is very narrow. Their mindset is only about pitting Hindus and Muslims against each other, Mufti alleged. Mufti further described the memoir as a reflection of the ideological differences between the Congress and the BJP, saying Sonia Gandhi associated herself with Mahatma Gandhi, secularism and democracy. I feel that this book--I haven't heard much about it yet, though I have read a little bit--its a beautiful book, and it tells you the truth: that the BJP's ideology is the ideology of the RSS, Jan Sangh, and Godse, whereas Sonia Gandhi associates herself with Gandhi ji, secularism, and democracy. So, I think it must be a very interesting book, she said. Asked about the title Belonging, given that Gandhi has long been accused of having an Italian mindset, Mufti said, In my opinion, she... as I said earlier, the way she evolved as a leader, as a stateswoman... in the BJP, you don't even have a single... leave alone a statesman, you don't even have a true leader. They are just RSS pracharaks. They are rioters, considering what they are doing right now and the riot-like atmosphere they have created. She (Sonia Gandhi) was always called an outsider, but the amount she has sacrificed for this country--her husband's sacrifice, and before that, her mother-in-law's sacrifice... I think in the history of India, no other family has fought as much for freedom, nor made as many sacrifices for the integrity of this nation, as this family has, Mufti added. The remarks come amid a political controversy surrounding Sonia Gandhi's newly released memoir, which touches upon her personal journey, political experiences, the Nehru-Gandhi family and her criticism of the BJP-led government. In her memoir, Sonia Gandhi has accused the BJP of systematically dismantling democratic institutions, suppressing dissent and centralising political and economic power. She has also alleged that the RSS has brought several educational institutions under its ideological influence. Gandhi has criticised the government's 2016 demonetisation decision, the functioning of central investigative agencies and the Election Commission of India (ECI). She has also accused the ruling party of using government agencies to target political opponents. The memoir has drawn sharp reactions from BJP leaders. BJP national spokesperson CR Kesavan criticised the book, saying it could have been titled 'Whitewashing' instead of 'Belonging: A Journey of Love'. Sonia Gandhi could have titled her memoir 'Whitewashing', instead of 'Belonging' because the motive of this book appears to be sugarcoating the historical wrongs perpetrated by the Nehru-Gandhi family and camouflaging the cardinal sins committed by the Congress party, Kesavan said. Questioning her references to the Babri Masjid demolition, the 1984 anti-Sikh massacre, the Batla House encounter and the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Kesavan asked whether she had expressed similar grief over the deaths of innocent people and security personnel. He also criticised her account of the Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, saying it was appalling and shocking to normalise or justify a period during which fundamental rights were suspended. In Patna, JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha questioned Sonia Gandhi's account of declining the Prime Minister's post in 2004, claiming that Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav had refused to support her. This is a controversial matter as well. While managing numbers, what we know is that Mulayam Singh Yadav had refused to support her. Otherwise, there was a full attempt to become the PM. But she could not become. It is a different matter what she did or did not do, Jha said. Meanwhile, Congress leaders defended the memoir and rejected the BJP's criticism over Sonia Gandhi's reflections on the Babri Masjid demolition. Congress leader Salman Khurshid said there was deep regret across political circles over the demolition, including among BJP leaders Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani. Advani ji had also said that they did not want this to happen. Atal Bihari Vajpayee had said they didn't want this, Khurshid said. Congress MP Rajeev Shukla also accused the BJP of giving the memoir a political spin, arguing that several BJP leaders had themselves criticised the Babri Masjid's demolition at the time. (ANI)

Chhath Puja Special: Enjoy Patna's Scenic Beauty from the Sky with Helicopter Joyrides

Bihar Tourism launches Patna helicopter joyrides for Chhath Puja, offering 8:00

Bihar CM transfers Rs 1,205 crore in social security pensions to 1.09 crore beneficiaries ahead of Chhath

Digital Desk | Patna, Nov 10 (IANS) Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Tuesday transferred Rs 1,205 crore to the bank accounts of 1.09 crore social security pension beneficiaries across the state ahead of the Chhath festival. Under the disbursement, each beneficiary received Rs 1,100 as monthly pension assistance. The funds were transferred during a programme organised at the Chief Minister's official residence, Lok Sevak Awas in Patna on Tuesday. The social security pension scheme provides financial assistance to elderly people, widows and persons with disabilities, helping them meet their basic needs. During the run-up to the assembly election 2025, the then Nitish Kumar government had increased the monthly pension amount from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100, providing additional financial support to millions of beneficiaries. During the programme, Samrat Choudhary directed officials to ensure that every eligible person receives the benefits of the scheme and that no deserving beneficiary is left out. He instructed the administration to identify eligible people who have not yet been enrolled and launch a special campaign to bring them under the pension scheme. The Chief Minister emphasised that the process should ensure that vulnerable sections of society receive financial assistance without unnecessary delays or administrative hurdles. The pension amount is transferred directly into the beneficiaries' bank accounts, enabling them to use the assistance for their daily expenses. The scheme is particularly significant for elderly people, widows and persons with disabilities who may have limited or no regular sources of income. With the latest disbursement, the government has reiterated its focus on expanding the coverage of social security benefits and ensuring that eligible people across Bihar are included in the programme. Officials have been directed to monitor the identification and enrolment process so that no eligible person is deprived of the monthly pension assistance. Such a disbursement could give relief to the beneficiaries ahead of the Chhath festival.

Police foil ATM robbery bid in Muzaffarpur

Fire breaks out outside electronic showroom in Patna

Laser show planned at Buxar ghats during Chhath

'Went straight from meeting to his home': Sonia Gandhi sought Sitaram Kesri's blessings after becoming Cong Prez in 1998

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) Congress Parliamentary Chairperson (CPP) Sonia Gandhi recalled visiting former party Chief Sitaram Kesri's residence to seek his blessings, after being elected the party President in 1998, which left the latter surprised, Gandhi said in her memoir 'Belonging: A Journey of Love'. The book, released on Tuesday, traces the events of 1998, surrounding Kesri's reported ouster as the Congress chief and the subsequent election of Sonia Gandhi to lead the grand old party. Sonia Gandhi's account of Sitaram Kesri is different from the famous controversy surrounding his removal as the Congress President. She said that after being elected as the Congress President at a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in 1998, she went directly to Kesri's residence and sought his blessings by touching his feet, according to a report by NDTV. Recalling the emotional meeting in her book, Sonia Gandhi said that Kesri was surprised by her unexpected visit. However, with tears in his (Kesri's) eyes, he placed his hand on her head and blessed her, she added. She noted that after the Congress party's defeat under the then Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao in 1996, two governments came and went before the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) eventually came to power with the support of a coalition of 20 parties. The new government was led by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who, over five decades in Parliament, had earned a reputation as a skilled politician and an influential orator. Sonia Gandhi recalled that following the election results, the party once again began a process of change. The Congress Working Committee (CWC) unanimously concluded that a leadership change was necessary. The then-Congress President Sitaram Kesri was asked to step down, and on March 14, 1998, Sonia Gandhi was elected party President in his place. Kesri ji, as I always addressed him, had been an active member of the Congress for more than six decades. Suddenly, the thought came to my mind, and I went straight from the meeting to his home. I greeted him and, following the traditional custom of showing respect to elders, touched his feet, Sonia Gandhi was quoted as saying in her memoir by NDTV. She added that Kesri was taken aback by her sudden arrival but nevertheless blessed her. His eyes filled with tears, and he placed his hand on my head. Notably, in March 1998, amid dramatic developments at the Congress headquarters on 24 Akbar Road in New Delhi, the CWC removed Sitaram Kesri from the post of party president. This cleared the way for Sonia Gandhi to take over the leadership of the party. Sitaram Kesri, who hailed from Bihar, served as the Congress President from 1996 to 1998. He passed away in 2000.

Bihar STET Revised Exam Date 2026 - Check New Exam Date at biharboardonline.org

The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) has revised the date of the Bihar School Librarian Eligibility Test (SLET) 2026. The exam will now be held on 23 November 2026 instead of 22 November 2026, and admit cards will be available from 17 November 2026.

Rachna Patils appointment in governors secretariat may speed up VC selection

Bihar Government Bans Firecrackers Near Ghats And Private Boat Operations During Chhath Puja

To avert crowd stampedes, boat-capsizing tragedies, and toxic air pollution, the Bihar government has enforced a strict prohibition on firecrackers near riverbanks and banned private boat operations throughout the four-day Chhath Puja celebrations.

Bihar CM launches water metro service on Ganga river ahead of Chhath, fare fixed at Rs 50

Digital Desk | Patna, Nov 10 (IANS) Patna residents received a new transport facility ahead of the Chhath festival with the launch of a water metro service on the Ganga on Tuesday. The service will operate between Digha Ghat and NIT Ghat, covering a distance of around 9.5 km. Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary inaugurated the service at Digha Ghat in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Health Minister Nishant Kumar. The water metro will operate daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the fare fixed at Rs 50 per passenger. The service will be managed by the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation. Modern air-conditioned metro boats, each with a capacity of around 100 passengers, will ferry commuters along the designated route. The service is expected to provide an alternative to road transport, improve connectivity between different parts of Patna and promote tourism along the Ganga. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal had earlier announced the introduction of the water metro in Patna. With its launch, Patna becomes the second city in the country, after Kochi in Kerala, to introduce such a service. The state government is also exploring the possibility of developing passenger and tourism services on the Son, Gandak and Kosi rivers. A task force comprising officials from the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the Inland Waterways Authority of India and the Bihar government will soon be constituted to examine the feasibility of operating such services on these rivers. The vessels have been equipped with modern facilities and safety systems. A specialised supercharger has been installed at Gandhi Ghat to recharge the boats' batteries, with a full charge reportedly taking around 10 to 15 minutes. For passenger safety, the boats have CCTV cameras and an automatic location system, which will be monitored remotely. Three to four rescue boats will also be deployed along the route to respond to emergencies. The launch is expected to add a new dimension to urban transport in Patna while opening up further opportunities for tourism and passenger movement on the Ganga.